Going to go try on a bunch of ultralight parkas in the approximate $200 category tomorrow. Specifically MontBell, Mountain Hardwear, Columbia, RAB, and Arc'Teryx. Anything specific I should be aware of when I'm looking at them? Also, going to be checking out this ultralight tripod. Seems like a good compromise for what I'm doing. (I understand that it's a compromise in stability over something beefier, I just don't want to carry a real tripod with me)

Hope you get a good deal, TS. I'm hitting REI on Dec 26 just to see if anything interesting is on bargain basement. I have to say I have been wearing a pair of North Face trekking pants out golfing lately. Comfy and a crap ton of pockets.

Not really looking for a "deal". I mean, these ultralight parkas are $170-$240 regular price. I budgeted about that much to get one. Won't argue if they are on sale though. More interested in something that will pack down to minimal space in a pack/lightweight/warm enough to walk around in the snow for a while/durable enough to withstand some backpack wear and hiking. Also, if it fits well enough to make me not look like the Michelin Man, and comes in blue or black, that is a bonus.

This is amazing, and I love the face that there are even glasses holes! Is the part that goes over your eyes to prevent snowblindness?

http://lightweightoutdoors.com/?p=1418 I like that guy's blog, though it drives me nuts that a lot of that stuff is European only at this point. I can't find any of those Klattermusen jackets around here anywhere.